The New York Knicks (24*-14 and clinging to third in the Eastern Conference) are in the midst of a challenging West Coast road trip and a bona fide slump. They’ve won just once in their last six games, and four of the last 10. Their defeat of the Clippers at home on Wednesday did little to restore our confidence, and Friday night’s loss in Phoenix further highlighted the team’s problems, namely: another slow start, a vapid physical identity, too many turnovers, disordered defense, offensive confusion, and sub-par performances by their highest-paid players.
The weatherman says the sky ain’t falling, but that cloud looks suspicious. Brunson and KAT seem incompatible, Wingstop has been a doorstop, and the bench are sad clowns mostly. Maybe Josh Hart will return from his eight-game absence and bring back loaves and fishes. Maybe. Until then, we’ll be relieved if the Knicks split this upcoming slate of games.
Sun, Jan 11 @ Portland Trail Blazers – 6:00 PM
The Knicks head to the Moda Center on Sunday to face a Portland team hovering around .500 and clinging to the edge of the play-in picture. The Trail Blazers are 19–20, ninth in the West, and coming off a 111–105 home win over Houston. They’ve enjoyed a surge of late that has brought renewed confidence to a rebuilding roster. Under interim coach Tiago Splitter, the overperforming Blazers have played fast and loose, scoring a league-average amount of points but giving up a ton as well. That mix has produced close games and a record slightly better than predicted.
Their fulcrum is Deni Avdija, who has emerged as a cornerstone player with a string of high-usage, all-around performances. Avdija has averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and seven assists this season. Sure, he might benefit from friendly whistles, but deserves All-Star consideration nonetheless. Shaedon Sharpe and a young supporting cast provide a high-octane scoring punch.
For New York, it’s a winnable game if they can control the pace, protect the ball, and limit transition chances. This one will test their focus, which was poor on Friday in Phoenix.
Wed, Jan 14 @ Sacramento Kings – 10:00 PM
After two days off (imagine that), the Knicks continue their West Coast swing Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center against a Sacramento team slogging through a difficult season.
The Kings are 8–30, last in the West, and coming off a 137–103 blowout loss to Golden State. Coach Doug Christie is still searching for traction, with his squad struggling on both ends. For the Knicks, this will be the first game of a back-to-back. They’d be wise to come out hot, run up the score, and give the starters an early exit. Given their contrarian nature, we kind of expect the opposite from New York, while someone goofy like Dennis Schröder goes off for thirty.
Thu, Jan 15 @ Golden State Warriors – 10:00 PM (Prime Video)
The Knicks wrap up their West Coast adventures on Thursday night with a tough test, visiting Golden State at Chase Center on the second night of a back-to-back. The Warriors, 21–18 and eighth in the West, remain dangerous at home behind veteran poise, elite shooting (on occasion), and a top-ten defense. Fatigue looms for New York, and defending Golden State’s motion offense and three-point volume could be a lot for tired legs. To stay competitive, New York will need to dig deep, chase shooters, disrupt the Dubs’ rhythm early, and keep the game out of transition. Just a couple, two, three things. Wouldn’t that cross-country flight feel nicer after a win than a defeat?
Sat, Jan 17 vs Phoenix Suns – 7:30 PM
The Knicks return to Madison Square Garden on Saturday for a rematch with the Phoenix Suns, who edged them 112–107 to open the West Coast trip. Phoenix comes in feeling extra chesty, sitting seventh in the West, and having outperformed preseason expectations under coach Jordan Ott. A top-ten defense and a balanced offensive attack led by Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks dominated the Knicks for almost 90% of Saturday’s game. Ironically, Phoenix’s clutch execution made the difference in the first meeting, when timely shooting from B&B held off a Knicks rally.
This time, the advantage swings back to New York. After a taxing road stretch, the Knicks get home-court energy and a chance to clean up the mistakes that cost them last time.
This stretch will show us how resilient the Knicks are, or aren’t. If they can steady themselves, clean up the basics, and come out of this run with a split, that counts as progress. Anything more would be a welcome surprise. Anything less . . . well, when does that trade window close?
* Should be one more, but the Cup final doesn’t count.